It has been estimated by DEFRA that the number of domestic computers in the UK has now out-numbered households [1]. There are estimated to be 24.5 million domestic desktop computers in the UK and with home studies and computing equipment firmly fixed in our homes, this will only increase. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that UK households now spend over £1.7 billion a year powering computers and other IT equipment, which generally works out as 13% of your electricity bill. Therefore choosing energy efficient computing equipment can have a real impact on reducing carbon dioxide emissions and your energy bill.
Desktops
If you require a desktop, then the best option to choose in an Energy Saving Trust Recommended desktop as this will meet strict criteria on electricity usage. This is not just when you’re using it, but also during “sleep” and “standby” modes [2], which are notorious for wasting electricity. As Energy Saving Trust Recommended desktop computers use around 45% less energy in a year than average new computers, you could save around £25 in energy costs over 5 years. Therefore, if everyone buying a new computer bought a Recommended desktop, they could collectively save £10 million off their energy bills a year. This would also equate to over 40,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (enough to fill 230,00 double-decker buses) a year.
If a laptop is capable of meeting your needs, then it provides a more energy efficient alternative to a desktop. Laptops contain smaller and more efficient components than desktops and are therefore responsible for fewer carbon dioxide emissions. New laptops are estimated to use around 85% less energy than a new desktop computer and can cost £50 less a year in electricity usage [3]. This makes the carbon footprint of a laptop to be 150kg a year lower than a desktop. Therefore, in 2008, if everyone who had bought a new desktop had bought a new laptop instead then they would collectively be spending £100 million less a year on energy costs. They would also be generating 400,000 tonnes less carbon dioxide per year which is enough to fill over 2 million double-decker buses each year.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A New Laptop
If you decide a laptop will meet your needs and you’re interested in buying the most eco-friendly and energy efficient model, then here are a few things to consider:
- Display:- Compared to conventional displays, Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) consume considerably less energy as a result of better technology and fluorescent backlighting so choose a model with an LCD screen to reduce energy costs. Laptops with Light Emitting Diode (LEDS) screens are available, however there is not a substantial difference between these and LCD screens. If you may be considering a laptop a little later on then look out for models with screens containing Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) as these use significantly less energy than LCD or LED displays [4]
- Hard Drive Alternatives:- Nearly 10% of a laptop’s energy demand can be reduced by using flash memory as a replacement for a conventional hard drive. The flash memory system has few components that consume a high level of energy, unlike conventional hard drives.
- Power Consumption:- There are many new innovative ways of powering laptops that put less strain on energy resources. Battery-powered sources are ideal for the static use of laptops as they sustain power for hours yet still use much less electricity than periodic charging does. Portable solar chargers are most suitable for laptop users who are on the move and aren’t recommended for static use, however they are increasingly being included on laptop casings so look out for these models. Fixed solar panels are recommended for offices and domestic settings where laptops are not moved frequently.
- Toxicity:- Conventional laptop casings are made from petroleum-derived or plastic products which harm the environment. Look for models that promote the use of natural polymers in the casings and use of recycled materials.
[1] http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Computers-and-peripherals
[3] http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Home-improvements-and-products/Computers-and-peripherals/Laptops
[4] http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-computing/articles/31958.aspx
